How to use Fortnite’s new Sidegrading weapons feature

Epic Games have finally released the first major Fortnite patch of 2020, adding quite a few new features. The biggest one so far is Sidegrading, and here’s everything you need to know about it. 

Fortnite fans have been waiting a while for a new update as the game remained practically the same over the holiday season, excluding their snowy Winterfest event. However, it seems that Epic have got right back to work and players have been graced with the Fortnite v11.40 update.

One feature that has caught the attention of many is the new Sidegrading system – a way to transform your guns into others of the same rarity. If you don’t yet know how it works, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to show you. 

How to Sidegrade weapons in Fortnite

Leaker Lucas7yoshi was one of the first to share this new system, showing Fortnite’s very simple introduction video, which runs players through the whole process. 

All you need to do is find a Weapon Upgrade Bench and use it. In addition to the usual Upgrade Weapon option, you will now also be presented with a Sidegrade Weapon option when you interact with the bench. 

How much does Sidegrading cost?

Each Sidegrade costs just a tenth of the standard upgrade price and will present you with a different version of the weapon you have.

For example, the Assault Rifle will be transformed into a Heavy Assault Rifle of the same rarity – making it a cheap way of getting more powerful variants in-game. 

What else changed in Fortnite’s v11.40 update?

This also means that the Heavy Assault Rifle is making a return to the game after being vaulted in patch 11.0. Many players will be excited to see the powerful rifle return with its incredible 46 damage per shot and solid mag size.

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The Sidegrades for other weapons did not make it into the introduction video, but there’s a very easy way to find out what they are – jump from the Battle Bus! 

Meanwhile, the rest of patch v11.40 saw quite a few bug fixes, with likely more to come. If you haven’t yet seen the early patch notes, make sure to check them out to find out more about Fortnite’s first big patch in 2020.